Not only is it the only Michelin-recommended market stall in Leeds, but The Owl also lays claim to being Kirkgate market's first-ever pub.
Painted all in black, it could be very easy to miss The Owl were it not for the ornate, golden bird of prey knocker on the pub and taproom’s door – and for a little red sticker in the window proudly pronouncing “Michelin’, awarded to the pub at the start of 2021.
But trust us, it’s worth seeking this place out.
First opened by fine dining stars Liz Cottam and Mark Owen in 2019, the pair behind Leeds' Michelin-rated restaurant HOME, The Owl made history in Leeds as the first pub to open inside the iconic city center market in over 150 years.
Nestled in with the traders on Fish & Game Row, it’s the only place (probably) in the city where you can pick up three melons for a quid and also treat yourself to a Michelin-recommended dining experience under one roof.
Having grown up in pubs herself, Cottam has previously said she was 'always drawn' to opening her own - but this is no ordinary pub. Whilst it brands itself as a pub and a taproom, it's so much more too: offering three different menus, spanning lunch, dinner and 'grazing'.
We opted for a spot of mid-afternoon 'grazing'. With a few pints on the side. Obviously.
As part of its pub offering The Owl works in collaboration with Leeds' Northern Monk Brewery, so you'll always be sure to find some special beers on draught here.
The collection of 'grazind tray' dishes comes out in a heavy-looking wooden tray, crammed with all sorts of delights from The Owl’s current game and fish menus.
Currently on tap is their 'Summer of Faith' - a hazy rhubarb shandy that celebrates the best of Yorkshire rhubarb whilst simultaneously being packed full of sweetness - as well as the simply titled 'Faith' pale ale, a big, juicy modern craft ale packed with tropical, citrus and pine flavours.
It all comes out in special pint glasses illustrated with a graphic of Kirkgate market and a cute little owl, a lovely touch. The Faith also worked wonderfully with our grazing tray - which, incidentally, has to be the most affordable option out of their three menus: offering a collection of small plates for just £30.
These can all currently be ordered separately, but we were feeling greedy so we went the whole hog and ordered them all in one. And wow, was it worth it.
Miniature crumpets laden with cod's roe and wild boar jam at The Owl
From miniature crumpets laden with cod's roe and wild boar jam; to baked Lindisfarne oysters and guinea fowl toast with Dale End cheddar, every single plate that came out wowed us - right down to the marmite butter and sticky, malty ale-glazed bread.
When paired with homemade mushroom ketchup, the KFR (Kentucky fried rabbit) became an absolute revelation, its dry gaminess rounded out by lashings of the creamy umami-rich sauce.
Baked Lindisfarne oysters with chef's garnish at The Owl
Our absolute star dish, though, had to be the marinaded north sea bream, served with delicate little pickled onions that had just the perfect amount of crunch.
This is pub food like you've never had it before.
We're aware that fine dining isn't for everyone and we can understand why. That said, we feel like The Owl should be for everyone - or at the very least, for everyone that eats meat (for anyone else, it's worth noting that the veggie options were slim whilst the vegan options were nonexistent).
Meat eaters, though, get stuck in. This is your spot. Surrounded by meat and fish stalls, it should be a given that that was going to be the case, really.
Find out more about The Owl and view its menus here.
Feature image - Dockstreetsigns.
News
Plans to turn one of Leeds’ most historic buildings into padel courts approved
One of Leeds’ most iconic buildings is set to be brought back to life.
Plans for a brand-new padel and leisure destination at The Roundhouse on Wellington Road have been approved by Leeds City Council’s West Plans Panel.
Consent has been granted for Ollo Padel to transform the Grade II* listed Roundhouse into a state-of-the-art sport, fitness, food, drink and community venue subject to conditions and completion of a Section 106 agreement.
Built in 1847 for the Leeds and Thirsk Railway Company, The Roundhouse was once home to the steam locomotives that powered industrial Victorian Leeds. In recent years, the building has stood largely unused.
Image: Supplied
The approved plans will restore and protect the landmark building and give the site a new, long-term future as one of the city’s most distinctive leisure destinations.
The three-acre site, located on the edge of Leeds city centre, will include nine outdoor doubles padel courts under a 10-metre canopy, plus a dedicated indoor coaching court within The Roundhouse itself.
At the heart of the site will be the Ollo Clubhouse; built around an all-day kitchen and bar, it will combine a comfortable lounge and co-working space, meeting rooms and live sport and events spaces.
The kitchen and bar will be run in partnership with Southbank Provisions, the independent Leeds hospitality team behind Headrow House, Belgrave Music Hall and Galleria whilst the gym will be operated by fitness and performance specialists Northbound, who will bring strength and conditioning practice, Hyrox training and pilates classes to The Roundhouse.
Image: Supplied
Construction is expected to begin later this year, with the venue aiming to open in early 2027.
Luke Gidney, Founder & CEO Ollo Padel: "This is a huge day for Leeds, for The Roundhouse and for Ollo. The Roundhouse has been part of the city’s story for nearly 180 years. It’s an incredible building but it needs people, energy and purpose again. Our plan is to bring it back to life as a place where people can play, eat, work, meet friends and feel part of something.
"Padel is growing so quickly because it’s fun, social and easy to pick up. But for us, this is about more than just the courts. We want Ollo to become a proper community destination for Leeds, somewhere welcoming, joyful and full of life.
"We’re incredibly grateful to Leeds City Council’s planning team, our case officer, the wider council team and everyone who has supported the project to this point. This has been a complex project but the sport and engagement throughout has been brilliant. Now the real work starts and we cannot wait to open the doors for you.”
New study crowns Leeds as one of the friendliest cities in the UK
Clementine Hall
New research has revealed a global ranking of cities with the best customer service, with Leeds taking one of the top spots.
If you've been wondering which cities across the world are the friendliest of them all, then look no further because MoneySuperMarket have done the work for us in a new study.
In a world where social media culture plays a huge part in people's lives, online customer reviews are pretty important to local businesses.
To uncover the global locations that are home to the best customer service, the businesses insurance experts analysed over 100,000 reviews of leisure and hospitality businesses in 107 cities worldwide.
They looked at the language in the reviews to see how often friendly workers and staff were mentioned, building a global ranking of the cities where customer service truly stands out.
Out of a whopping 107, Leeds came in at a very respectable number 12. Now we think that's pretty good going.
Outside of the UK, Hanoi, Paris, Montreal and Abu Dhabi were highlighted for their friendly customer service whilst Edinburgh tops the global ranking, with Liverpool, Birmingham and Bristol also making the world’s top 10.
The top 10 cities in the UK with the best customer service are as follows:
Edinburgh
Liverpool
Birmingham
Bristol
Belfast
Leeds
Glasgow
Cardiff
Manchester
London
Alicia Hempsted spoke on the study: “As businesses grow and engage with more customers, it’s important to make sure they’re protected. Public liability insurance is an important safeguard for those working with the public, helping to cover costs if something goes wrong, while also showing customers that their experience is taken seriously - from the moment they walk through the door to long after they’ve left.”
Georgina Pellant -
29th July 2021 
